Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior nurse to work within our sleep / respiratory specialist nurse team at South Tyneside and Sunderland Hospitals.

The sleep / respiratory nurse will work within the newly established nurse led sleep service team within our chest clinic, providing patient care as well as leading the management and care delivery for patients with sleep related breathing disorders, as well as those with conditions such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectisis and ILD. They will be a requirement to contribute to the ongoing development and delivery of nurse lead services for patients with sleep related breathing disorders.

We would expect the applicant to have 2 or more years respiratory experience preferably in sleep related breathing disorders and ventilation and have experience of CPAP therapy. They must have proven leadership skills with the clinical skills and non-medical prescriber qualifications or working towards this.

The successful candidate must be dynamic, highly motivated and a passionate individual who is committed to high quality patient care. Applicants must have a desire to build upon and share their knowledge with their colleagues who are willing to challenge and commit themselves to our sleep / respiratory service and have a desire to be part of our enthusiastic team. If this sounds like you, then please join us in providing an exceptional and high-quality service to our patients at South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Main duties of the job
The specialist nurse will

• Continue to develop advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
• Contribute to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
• Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field through the use of evidence-based practice and in line with agreed national standards and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
• Work as an autonomous practitioner and team leader within their sphere of practice.
• Continuously improve clinical standards in line with clinical governance framework.
• Exercise accountability as set out in the NMC Code.
• Lead the nurse led sleep service in the absence of the clinical lead.
• Manage own caseload of complex sleep / respiratroy patients
• Develop the sleep related breathing disorder service.
• Offer clinical support to other memebrs of the team.
• Traige referral and offer advice and guidance.
• Involvement in HR and budget management of the service.
• Offer lifestyle support for patients.
• Participate in audit and research projects.
• Involvement in the education of other health care professionals
• Supervision and implementation of the CPAP group initiation service.

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details
Date posted
12 August 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 7

Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time

Reference number
C9155-MDNM-0826-12

Job locations
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kyall Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom

South Tyneside District Hospital
Harton Lane
South Shields
NE34 0PL
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job Description for full details

A specialist nurse is defined as a qualified nurse whose primary role is to provide care, guidance and support which is based on an advanced level of knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning sleep related breathing disorders and respiratory conditions. The post holder will be a member of the nurse led sleep related breathing disorder team with commitment to assist the larger respiratory nursing team.

Person Specification
Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
• Carrying teaching equipment such as laptop, stationary, etc.
• Manual dexterity and up to date working knowledge of equipment, e.g. syringe drivers, infusion pumps, etc.

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Advanced specialist knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
• Good/intermediate IT skills.
• Effective presentation/report writing skills.
• Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of how to facilitate learning.
• Leadership skills.
• Knowledge of current professional and clinical governance issues.
• Knowledge of research and clinical audit.
• Knowledge and experience of handling complex relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
• Venepuncture, cannulation and IV drug administration.
• Competent in Spirometry and FeNo testing and interpretation.
• Competent in ABG and CBG and interpretation.
• Proven interpersonal skills.
• Practice assessor / practice assessor skills.
• Counselling and appraisal skills.
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing practices appropriate to the post.
• Time management.
• Ability to assess, deliver, evaluate and benchmark quality care.

Desirable

• Qualification in specialty.
• Resource management skills.
• Smoking Cessation Training.
• Councelling / CBT qualification.
• Experience in patient education / lifestyle education.

Qualifications
Essential

• Current 1st level NMC registration.
• Degree in nursing studies or relevant clinical degree (UK equivalent).
• Postgraduate level study, or equivalent specialist study/experience in respiratory care ( Asthma / COPD/ NIV/ Sleep related breathing disorders).
• Mentorship certificate/Practice Assessor training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Clinical skills accreditation.
• Non-medical prescribing or willingness to complete.
• Inhouse or external training in sleep related breathing disorders.

Desirable

• Leadership and Management Course.
• Basic knowledge of financial management.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive post registration experience, some of which will be at a senior level within acute anc hcronic respiratory care.
• Experience of care delivery both as inpatient and outpatients level.
• Experience of leading a team.
• Evidence of leading innovation in practice in the respiratory field.
• Evidence of leading change management.
• Evidence of practice development.
• Experience of coordinating care for a caseload of patients.
• Experience in CPAP And BIPAP therapy and mask fitting

Desirable

• Budget Management.
• Participation in recruitment and selection process
• Project management
• Experience in conducting research and critiquing clinical evidence.
• Experience in implementing quality frameworks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kyall Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Lead Nurse
Sharon Stothard
sharon.stothard@nhs.net
01915656256

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.